Indian Rice Giants Eye UK and Europe: Massive Global Push at BIRC 2026
Indian rice companies target UK and Europe at BIRC 2026, aiming for 25 million tonnes in exports amid new trade agreements.
India is gearing up to cement its status as the world's rice powerhouse. During the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 held in New Delhi from October 23 to 25, Indian rice exporters laid out an aggressive strategy to penetrate the United Kingdom and European markets, seeking to broaden the nation's global trade footprint.
The high-profile event was inaugurated by Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan, providing a platform for industry titans to synchronize their efforts and explore untapped international opportunities.
A Dominant Global Force
The scale of India's influence in the global rice trade is staggering. Tarun Bajaj, General Manager of APEDA, revealed that India currently controls approximately 40% of the world's rice exports. This dominance was further emphasized by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Executive Director of the Rice Exporters Association, who pointed out that India's market share is larger than that of the next three biggest exporting nations combined.
Looking ahead, the ambitions are even bolder. Prem Garg, President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), projected that India could scale its annual export volume to between 20 and 25 million metric tonnes. The BIRC 2026 conference itself is expected to be a massive financial catalyst, facilitating trade contracts exceeding Rs 50,000 crore.
Company Roadmaps: From Middle East to Europe
Several industry leaders shared their specific blueprints for growth during the conference:
- Hari Bhog Agra Food (HBAF) LLP: After successfully establishing a presence in the Middle East, Business Head Shashi Shrivastava announced the firm's intention to enter the UK and European markets.
- Goenka Group of Industries: Director of International Sales Ashish Nainani highlighted that the company is already exporting non-basmati rice to Europe, driven largely by the strong demand from the overseas Indian diaspora.
- Delhi Pasand Agro (P) Ltd: Managing Director Virender Kumar revealed a strategic shift for the company, moving from purely domestic operations into the competitive export sector.
Trade Agreements and Regulatory Hurdles
The push into the West is supported by significant policy shifts. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which came into effect on July 15, 2026, has opened doors by providing near-total duty-free access for Indian basmati rice entering the UK.
However, expansion comes with strict compliance requirements. As of October 25, 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has mandated that all rice exports to the UK, European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland must carry inspection certificates from the Export Inspection Council (EIC) or the Export Inspection Agency (EIA). This follows the expiration of a temporary waiver on October 1, 2026.
Navigating Global Turbulence
Despite the optimism, the road to 2027 is not without obstacles. Industry leaders voiced concerns over several critical challenges:
- Geopolitical Tensions: Instability in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz is creating volatility in shipping routes.
- Logistics Costs: Rising costs of transport are putting pressure on profit margins.
- Infrastructure Needs: Experts stressed that for India to sustain this growth, there must be significant improvements in port infrastructure and a more strategic use of Free Trade Agreements to ensure stable operations.